In monitoring progress in the delivery of SVC recommendations to the Scottish Government it is important to consider the impact on those I aim to support, namely veterans and their families. Their lives should benefit from the changing policy and practices that result from these recommendations.

The action necessary to make things better can be complex, often calling for joined-up thinking and collaboration across different agencies and change doesn’t happen overnight but we are starting to see real improvement. That is down to the effort of many individuals and organisations who have got behind the recommendations and worked together to influence and deliver change. That should be acknowledged and celebrated.

We do not yet have good enough Scotland level data to be able to measure and report progress in a quantitative way, with numbers. That is my hope for the future, once we have further data from the 2022 Census and the annual Scottish Household Surveys. What we can do for now is report qualitative progress, on the basis of the evidence and observations which were used to assess progress on SVC recommendations.

This separate report on impact sets out all SVC recommendations fully achieved as at September 2024. Many more have progressed and are showing as partially implemented or implemented but work should continue to embed in my main progress report.

You can view all SVC recommendations fully achieved below.

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Today I attended the opening of the Gretna Rail Disaster exhibition at the @ootbdrillhall in Leith - a moving tribute to the men of the Royal Scots, many from Leith, who were killed or injured in the crash, and to the loved ones they left behind. 

People with family connections to the tragedy were present, including Colin Bell, whose father, John Cardean Bell, survived the accident. The venue is particularly poignant as the remains of victims were returned to this very hall.

A fascinating short film tells the story - find the link in my bio 🔗
Today I attended the opening of the Gretna Rail Disaster exhibition at the @ootbdrillhall in Leith - a moving tribute to the men of the Royal Scots, many from Leith, who were killed or injured in the crash, and to the loved ones they left behind. People with family connections to the tragedy were present, including Colin Bell, whose father, John Cardean Bell, survived the accident. The venue is particularly poignant as the remains of victims were returned to this very hall. A fascinating short film tells the story - find the link in my bio 🔗
23 hours ago
The SVC office was represented today at the Glasgow screening of ‘The Unseen Enemy’. 

This powerful film depicts the effects of gambling harms on the Armed Forces and Veteran communities. It was very moving to hear the stories of the impact gambling harms cause. 

Thanks to the whole team for all the good work they are doing to reduce the associated stigma and get people talking.
The SVC office was represented today at the Glasgow screening of ‘The Unseen Enemy’. This powerful film depicts the effects of gambling harms on the Armed Forces and Veteran communities. It was very moving to hear the stories of the impact gambling harms cause. Thanks to the whole team for all the good work they are doing to reduce the associated stigma and get people talking.
5 days ago
April was packed with events - we spoke with employers at the CTP Careers Fair, heard from young people during #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild, and celebrated our community’s achievements at the Scottish Veterans Awards. 

Read more in my April round-up via the link in the bio.
April was packed with events - we spoke with employers at the CTP Careers Fair, heard from young people during #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild, and celebrated our community’s achievements at the Scottish Veterans Awards. Read more in my April round-up via the link in the bio.
6 days ago
Last week, I joined commemorations marking #VEDay80 - honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who served, and reflecting on the resilience of those who endured loss and took on the enormous task of rebuilding in the aftermath.

Read more in my blog - link in the bio.
Last week, I joined commemorations marking #VEDay80 - honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who served, and reflecting on the resilience of those who endured loss and took on the enormous task of rebuilding in the aftermath. Read more in my blog - link in the bio.
1 week ago
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